Hat tricks from Reget, Marques help KC Comets retain I-70 Series crown vs. Ambush
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- Comets routed Ambush 9-6 to clinch I-70 Series 4-0 and retain regional crown.
- Reget and Marques combined for seven points, each recording a hat trick.
- Coach Stokic urged forwards to attack yellow line, create space and chances.
The Kansas City Comets’ offense delivered in a big way to secure the I-70 Series for the fourth year in a row.
KC’s indoor pro soccer team defeated the St. Louis Ambush 9-6 in Game 4 of the best-of-six series on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Cable Dahmer Arena.
Less than a week after scoring just twice in 70 minutes — but still coming away with a shootout win — the Comets surged for nine goals, the most the Ambush have allowed so far this season. A motivated Zach Reget and Rian Marques led the charge, with each tallying a hat trick to combine for seven points.
After being held without a point for the first time since March last week, Reget turned in his second four-point performance this season with a hat trick and an assist on Saturday.
He felt he needed to respond, knowing that the team typically performs well when he scores.
“I might get hate for this, but I don’t care about this,” Reget said about winning the I-70 Series Cup, taking a 4-0 series lead going into the final two games. “I want the Ron Newman Cup.
“It’s awesome to have a rivalry and compete, but it’s more nice that we’ve shut them out so far and they haven’t won a game. The trophy’s cool and all, but we play for the Ron Newman Cup.”
Comets head coach Stefan Stokic was much happier with the performance of his target forwards and the overall offense following Saturday’s game. He placed emphasis on creating more opportunities after seeing his squad held at bay the previous week.
“The creativity behind the yellow line,” Stokic said. “We talked about our targets coming over the yellow line, getting the ball, creating space in behind and our midfielders making runs. That really created a lot of movement and space for shots.”
The Comets scored on both power play opportunities and added another from a restart, areas they had been hoping to improve. The only disappointment was the Comets’ inability to put the game out of reach — St. Louis always seemed to respond when they were on the ropes, never letting the Comets gain more than a three-goal advantage.
“I don’t feel yet that we have played a perfect game,” Stokic said. “I don’t feel like we have connected the offense and defense, but hopefully we can get there sooner or later.”
The Comets look to continue their dominant I-70 Series on Wednesday afternoon, when they visit St. Louis for Game 5 at 3 p.m. Central Time on New Year’s Eve. The Comets then play host to the Ambush for Game 6 at 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.
Tickets for the series finale are available at kccomets.com/tickets.